Pearl Market Beijing - Restringing

[zuzu]

Hi,

I'm heading to Beijing next week and will be visiting the pearl market. With all the great and helpful information I've gathered from this website, I'm heading to LinLing's store to purchase about 15 strands as well as numerous "fun" items.

I have a strand here that is in desperate need of restringing. Do you think if I brought it with me, the store would restring it for me?

Thanks again (& I'm open to any tips!)

[jshepherd]

It would cost them close to nothing, so I am sure they would; especially if you bought something

[Nerida]

Dear Zuzu, can't imagine you will have any problem with getting it done. They will string everything you buy from them for basically nothing, and usually are happy to do other bits and pieces for their customers.

[zuzu]

Thank you. I will bring them!

For general bargaining, is it best to get the price down and set for one strand before I let them know I want several, or, do I use the fact that I will buy multiple strands as a bargaining tool?

[jshepherd]

If you are buying multiples of the same size and quality, yes. If you are buying several differing items, have them price out each first then bargain like crazy on one so you will know how low they will go on the others. You shouldn't pay more than half their quote for the most part.

Oh yeah, and they would never "lose money," otherwise they wouldn't still be talking with you.

[lady muck]

Hi Zuzu,

I agree with Nerida and Jeremy - if you are planning to buy multiple strands, free restringing and a few small freebies are usually offered (especially if you go early in the day as there is a sales person's myth about the first deal has to be a sealed deal - I lived in Beijing for a year, and learned that trick quickly ;-)

If you don't mind browsing, Panjiayuan is also a good place if you are not into tactile behaviour (once I had two women grabbing my arms on either side - not good!). The pearl quality may not be as good though, but the sales people are less aggressive and it's always fun to pick up a faux Mao propaganda poster while you're there.